What Is a Graphic Designer?
Graphic designers use a variety of skills in visual media, typography, and illustration to come up with effective solutions to communication issues. Sometimes this means they’re in charge of designing packaging for a product that will catch a shopper’s eye; other designers might work in the publication field and be tasked with designing arresting magazine covers or informative brochures. Some designers work in advertising, while others work directly for a company with the goal of helping them establish a visual presence or brand in the marketplace.
Graphic designers are responsible for interpreting and understanding the needs of their clients and supervisors and then working backward to determine what kind of visual presentation would best meet those needs. They need to understand how images and typefaces can affect viewers subconsciously, as well as what kind of visual emotional appeal will best sell an idea or product.
How to Become a Graphic Designer
For most graphic design jobs, a bachelor’s degree in the field is required. Studying for a career in graphic design means taking a variety of courses, including art history, the basics of design, digital design workshops, website design, print and newspaper design, and classes dedicating to advertising and brand identity. It’s not uncommon for the degree plan to feature supporting courses in English, mass communications, and psychology, all skills that will help a graphic designer create the type of image or product that will strike an emotional chord with the consumer.
Aspiring designers should also start building a portfolio of their work as soon as possible, whether the samples were paid for by a client or created on spec to demonstrate the designer’s taste for employers. Internships are a great way to get in on the ground floor of any number of organizations, and many graphic designers also find success freelancing for a variety of clients simultaneously.
Graphic Designer Career Outlook & Salary
The graphic design field is expected to grow on pace with the national average, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Because of the rise of online and new media in publication and design, those designers with web-oriented skills should have the most luck finding good jobs, since competition in the field is expected to be strong. The shrinking print media model means more competition for online jobs.
The government also recorded that the median income for graphic designers was $42,400 annually in 2008. That figure’s subject to change based on experience, location, and specification, though; some of the highest earners recorded annual salaries past $74,000. Those working in computer-related design fields tended to earn the most. Graphic designers who ascend to the role of department or company head often saw their earnings hover closer to $90,000 per year.
